Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas says it was the right time for Didier Drogba to undergo surgery.

There will be no game time for Drogba, who has undergone surgery during his three-game domestic suspension to remove screws from the arm he fractured at last year's World Cup.

"We took the risk based on his domestic suspension and the forthcoming international break to remove six of the eight screws from his arm," Villas-Boas said.

"So he's out of this game and the Blackburn game, and should be ready to return for the team when the others go away for international fixtures."